The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

Now if any shall desire to be more particularly satisfied, What that exact righteousness is, which in matter of Contracts, ought to be observed betwixt Man and Man? I must confess this is a difficult question, and to be handled very modestly, by such as acknowledge themselves unacquainted with the affairs of the World, and the necessities of things, and the particular, and hidden reasons of some kind of dealings; For he that is ignorant of these, may easily give rules, which will not comply with the affairs of the world; he may complain of that which cannot be otherwise, and blame some kind of ⟨p. 260⟩dealings which are justifiable, from particular reasons, not obvious to any man, who is unseen in the way of Trade. Besides there are many Cases fall under this question which are very nice, but of great consequence, and the greater caution and tenderness ought to be used in the resolution of them, because they are matters of constant practise, and the greatest part of mankind are concerned in them; now it is a dangerous thing; to mistake in those things, in which many persons are interested, especially if they be things of such a vast difference, as Good, and Evil, Right, and Wrong are; For if that be determined to be lawful, which is unlawful, men are led into sin; if that be determined to be unlawful, which is lawful, men are led into a snare, for if this determination be to the prejudice of men in their callings, it is an hundred to one, but common example and private interest, will make many continue in that practise; and then the mischief is this, though men do that which is lawful and right, yet they are staggered by the authority and confidence of him, who hath determined it unlawful; and so have some reluctancy in their consciences, in the doing of it; and this by accident becomes a great sin to them; and when upon a sick bed, or any other occasion, they come to be touched with the sense of sin, this will be matter of greater horror and affrightment to them, than a real sin which they committed ignorantly, and were afterwards convinced of.

Now if any shall desire to bee more particularly satisfied, What that exact righteousness is, which in matter of Contracts, ought to bee observed betwixt Man and Man? I must confess this is a difficult question, and to bee handled very modestly, by such as acknowledge themselves unacquainted with the affairs of the World, and the necessities of things, and the particular, and hidden reasons of some kinde of dealings; For hee that is ignorant of these, may easily give rules, which will not comply with the affaires of the world; hee may complain of that which cannot bee otherwise, and blame some kinde of